South America, Canary Islands & Spain

Its stunning setting and joyous lust for life make Rio a cidade maravilhosa, "marvelous city." Ipanema, Copacabana, samba - the words alone conjure Brazilian paradise.

If Rio is the heart of Brazil and Sao Paulo is its brain, Salvador is its spirit. It was here in 1549 that the Portuguese founded the capital city and chief port of their new colony. Vast fortunes were made through the slave trade, and the introduction of a large African population had an important effect on the local culture. Salvador is built in two levels. The most appealing is in the upper city, the lovely colonial neighborhood of Pelourinho, which in the past few years has been completely restored to its former glory.

Recife, meaning "reef," was named for the great natural mass of coral which lies off its coast. The city is made up of three sections: the mainland, the peninsula, and the island. Bridges of stone and iron connect the three. Founded by fishermen and sailors in the first half of the 16th century, the city grew rapidly along with the sugarcane and slave trades. The city continues to grow, and now skyscrapers are crowding out the beautiful colonial mansions of the sugar era. Today the city is known as a beach resort, and it is one of northeast Brazil's most popular tourist destinations.

Natal was built on the right bank of the River Potenji, right where the river meets the Atlantic; the soil is very sandy, with dunes and bays protected by reefs which appear all along the shore line. This "City of Dunes" invites you to ride in a dune buggy over huge sand dunes with sweeping views of the sea.

Santiago is the largest of the Cape Verde islands, and nearly half the nation’s population lives on the island. Originally volcanic, Santiago is unusually fertile, and agriculture is an important part of the islands’ economy. The Cape Verde Islands only won their independence from Portugal in 1974, following a violent revolution. The nation is struggling valiantly to progress after a repressive history. Accordingly visitors will notice a striking difference in development between it and many of its neighbors. The Cape Verdeans, though, are friendly and optimistic, and welcoming to visitors. The old capital, formerly known as Cidade Velha, has been renamed Ribeira Grande de Santiago, which was its name when it was an important port in the infamous slave trade. Dating from 1466, it was the first European colonial settlement in the Tropics. Visitors will notice a cluster of well-restored colonial-period houses, as well as a monument to the original pelourinho, or pillory where slaves wer…

The most important city on the Cape Verde island of São Vicente, Mindelo originally thrived as a coal depot for steamships plying the Atlantic. With the advent of diesel engines, its importance waned, although it is still an important port for the maritime trade. The island is volcanic, dry and mostly low. The town has replica of Lisbon’s Belem Tower, located near the fish market, in an interesting part of the city. The late Cape Verdean singer Cesaria Evora started her career singing in the taverns of Mindelo, and later brought the uniquely lilting Cape Verdean form of fado music to the world through her bestselling records and concert tours.

Tenerife is the largest of the seven main islands, which comprise the Canaries. Beyond its quaint whitewashed villages, the Canary Islands' eternal spring keeps flowers, fruits and vegetables growing year-round. From Tenerife, you can travel up through pine forests to Mt. Teide, Spain's highest peak.The Iglesia del Salvador’s Islamic Mudéjar ceiling is one of the best in the islands, and La Palma’s odd, erosion caldera called La Cumbrecita is a UNESCO Biosphere Site

Lanzarote is the northernmost of the Canary Islands, often known as "volcano island." Its capital is Arrecife, a quiet town of about 30,000 inhabitants. Present day Lanzarote consists of two quite distinct massifs: Famara in the north, and Los Ajaches in the south, where centuries of erosion have sculpted abrupt cliffs and deep ravines, contrasting sharply with the smoothly rounded hills of the island's central region.

Situated just across the narrow Strait of Gibraltar from Europe, Tangier has long comprised a hybrid culture that is nearly as European as it is African. Standing atop Cap Spartel, one can gaze down on the place where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. The “Hollywood” district where the foreign embassies have traditionally been located reflects the European influence. But ascending the hill above the waterfront, one enters the narrow, winding alleys of the Kasbah, the city’s oldest, most Moroccan section. Down the coast, nearby Tetouan retains a nearly untouched walled medina, with sections originally occupied by Andalusian, Berber and Jewish populations. It is small enough that visitors can explore it without risking becoming lost, making it a perfect choice as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With its warm weather and attractive scenery, Andalusia was settled successively by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Vandals. But it was the Moors who graced it with a rich medieval culture of silver filigree, arches and arabesques, and the domes and minarets of its mosques, making it the center of the most highly developed civilization of the Middle Ages. Sherry wines, well-disciplined horses, brave bulls and the flamboyant flamenco are all part of its allure. Seville has been called "the most interesting town in all of Spain," and this pretty city, sparkling in the Andalusian sun, has played its part as the setting for Don Juan, Carmen, and Rossini's famous barber.

With its warm weather and attractive scenery, Andalusia was settled successively by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Vandals. But it was the Moors who graced it with a rich medieval culture of silver filigree, arches and arabesques, and the domes and minarets of its mosques, making it the center of the most highly developed civilization of the Middle Ages. Sherry wines, well-disciplined horses, brave bulls and the flamboyant flamenco are all part of its allure. Seville has been called "the most interesting town in all of Spain," and this pretty city, sparkling in the Andalusian sun, has played its part as the setting for Don Juan, Carmen, and Rossini's famous barber.

With its warm weather and attractive scenery, Andalusia was settled successively by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Vandals. But it was the Moors who graced it with a rich medieval culture of silver filigree, arches and arabesques, and the domes and minarets of its mosques, making it the center of the most highly developed civilization of the Middle Ages. Sherry wines, well-disciplined horses, brave bulls and the flamboyant flamenco are all part of its allure. Seville has been called "the most interesting town in all of Spain," and this pretty city, sparkling in the Andalusian sun, has played its part as the setting for Don Juan, Carmen, and Rossini's famous barber.